Reimagining wellbeing: Using arts-based methods to address sexual, gender and health inequalities

Another World

“…The methodology used can be traced back to a series of arts-based projects implemented in southern Africa over the last ten years. TransformLAB is a direct offshoot of the Creative Change Laboratory (CCoLAB) methodology (see Khan and Marnell, 2021). CCoLAB experimented with the use of a long-term participatory intervention, which confronted intersecting social themes, and used multiple arts methods.…”

“…This framing of art moves away from that which is seen as high art or valuable art, and appreciates how unconventional creative responses can be categorised as art as well. Creative and arts-based methods challenge us to think outside and beyond that which is seen as unquestionable and necessary parts of ourselves and the world (Khan and Marnell, 2021). It invites us to dream about alternatives and to share our dreams in a different kind of language and format, beyond serving a technical or operational purpose (like a report or policy brief might serve an operational purpose).…”

“…Rather than a black-texton-white-paper colonial way of producing knowledge, it offers alternatives through handwriting, sketches, and unconventional ideas not limited by a rigid silencing grammar. See Khan and Marnell (2021) for more on the research and theoretical roots of this work. This pedagogical and theoretical basis allowed transformLAB to focus on the affect of exclusion and marginalisation on campus, and to position the creative outputs (like the act of shit throwing cited above) as responses to this lived experience.…”

Preliminary findings from Mapping Q: An arts-based suicide prevention program for sexual and gender minority youth.

“…Additionally, these types of programs can help youth express difficult and complicated feelings through art while at the same time building connections and trust with other group participants which can further self-awareness and empathy skills (Coholic et al, 2020). While group connection is a positive outcome of many of these programs and is associated with greater mental well-being (Williams et al, 2019), having a space to discuss personal and often controversial topics can result of growth of the group and the individual, but can also lead to conflict (Khan & Marnell, 2022). Participants are able to focus on their own experiences and skills but might not be open to drawing on the skills and life lessons of those around them which could lead to conflict (Khan & Marnell, 2022).…”

“…While group connection is a positive outcome of many of these programs and is associated with greater mental well-being (Williams et al, 2019), having a space to discuss personal and often controversial topics can result of growth of the group and the individual, but can also lead to conflict (Khan & Marnell, 2022). Participants are able to focus on their own experiences and skills but might not be open to drawing on the skills and life lessons of those around them which could lead to conflict (Khan & Marnell, 2022). Yet, many prevention programs that utilize the arts to empower youth are school-based and do not focus specifically on SGM or other marginalized populations.…”